In the city’s first snowfall of the year, thousands of people held umbrellas and huddled for warmth as they waited to go inside Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall to pay tribute to Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
Among the first to visit with Menino’s family and former staff: Congressman Joe Kennedy.
“Reading about the stories and hearing them over the course of the last couple days of how many people he touched personally. He was a man dedicated to the people. And you can see on a rainy Sunday morning how many people are here to pay their respects,” said Kennedy. “It’s a pretty extraordinary testament to who he was.”
Menino was a force in City Hall, often called stubborn. City Councilor Matt O'Malley says no one can argue that Menino was not effective.
“I was 13 when he was first elected,” recounted O’Mally. “I saw firsthand how much better the city got. For the last years when I’ve been on the council I’ve worked with him. He was an inspiration. Is and will always be just an incredible leader. And it’s a very sad day in this city.”
Even those who haven’t worked with Menino in years drove through rain and snow to attend the wake. Matt Amorello, former chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority during the Big Dig, had only fond memories of Menino.
“He was a tough guy sometimes and he didn’t mind sharing what he thought. And there were many times he would pick up the phone and I would hear something that would make a lot of people blush. But at the end it was in the best interest of the community and the city. And you can’t argue with that. As I said, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this project in this city if you didn’t have Tom Menino and his crew in charge.”
Inside, the scene struck a balance between the stately and the familial. Menino’s family was, of course, present as was a rotating honor guard of former staff members and city employees.
In short, it was another historic event in Faneuil Hall.
